Fig. 8.

Higher Kdm6a gene expression is required for Ngn3 higher levels and differentiation of longer axons in female hypothalamic neurons. a siRNA targeting Kdm6a (siRNA) were effective downregulating the demethylase mRNA levels in hypothalamic neurons in vitro. A non-targeting siRNA sequence (ntRNA) was used as a control. b Kdm6a knockdown eliminated sex differences in Ngn3 gene expression by downregulating the proneural gene only in female derived neurons. c Representative fluorescence images of female (F) and male (M) neurons co-transfected with ntRNA and GFP or siRNA targeting Kdm6a and GFP at 3 DIV for 16 h. d Mean axonal length for each experimental condition. Kdm6a knockdown abolished sex differences decreasing axonal length only in female neurons. Data are mean ± SEM. n = 4–7 independent cultures for each sex and treatment. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001